[The Fifth Question: The Weight of Responsibility]
The wind swirled across the golden steps. Before the Chief Officer could speak, Princess Si Yirou stepped forward, her voice cutting through the air. "I shall ask this question on behalf of the Ceremonies."
She looked down at Xingyu with a polite but icy smile. "The Fifth Question: The Five Yao have gathered because of you. As their leader, you must bear the consequences of their actions. If the Yao-world falls into chaos because of their power, or if your judgment fails and causes the collapse of our boundaries... how will you answer for such a crime?"
The square erupted in murmurs. This was a trap—a weight of future sins placed on Xingyu's shoulders before they even happened.
The Five Yao bristled with rage, but Xingyu stood her ground. "I will not deny the risks, nor will I shirk responsibility," she said, her voice clear as a bell. "The Five Yao are not my servants. They are individuals with their own wills. If my actions lead to ruin, I am willing to perish within that storm. But if I can lead the way with a sliver of light, I will bear that risk alone. I am not here to rule, but to start a path. If I ever lead us astray—I will be the one to end that path personally."
A scholar in the crowd nodded. "She has courage. She does not hide from her fate."
[The Sixth Question: The Foundation of Trust]
Si Yirou's eyes burned with hidden fury. She retreated, knowing the final blow was coming. The Chief Officer stepped forward for the terminal question.
"The Sixth Question: The Final Question. The Five Yao come from the wilderness, the ruins, and the chaos. They are not royalty; they were not chosen by the Emperor. Gu Xingyu—by what faith do you command their loyalty? Not for power, not for wealth, not even for the watch you hold—but for you alone? Why do they risk their lives to follow you?"
This was the hardest question. It asked for the truth of the soul.
Xingyu turned to the five men beside her. "I cannot answer this," she said softly. "Because I do not command them. I walk with them because I hear their voices, and because they see that I am not a goddess, but a human—one who feels pain and fear, just like them."
She stepped back. "The true answer... can only be spoken by them."
Lin Lie (Gold): "I follow no fate, only my conviction. I follow her because she is the only one who reached out to save the 'broken pieces' left behind by destiny."
Luo Ye (Fire): He huffed, his ears turning red. "I hate being told what to do. But Xingyu never orders us. She just stands beside us and asks if we want to walk together. I'm not serving her... I'm making sure she's never alone again."
Cang Yuan (Water): "I used to believe that faith only leads to pain. But she showed me that some people won't leave you. I didn't get summoned; I chose to stay."
Sang Qi (Wood): "She listens. She remembers what we say—she even knows my sister's name. I trust her because she treats us like real people."
Li Yan (Earth): He stood like a mountain. "She never commanded me. But I will protect her until I can no longer stand. That is my answer."
[The People's Verdict]
A voice cried out from the crowd: "The Five Yao follow her with their hearts! She is the true Saintess!"
"I believe in her!"
"Saintess Xingyu! The Five Yao are of one heart!"
The cheers rose like a tidal wave, sweeping across the white jade steps. The officials were silent; the doubt had been crushed by the sheer weight of five men's devotion.
Si Moyan (The Prince) smiled with relief. Si Yirou gripped the railing so hard her knuckles turned white.
The Chief Officer struck the final chime. "The Six Matters of Ask-Yao are concluded. Saintess Gu Xingyu has answered with her heart and won the people with her faith. The Five Yao have testified. The Ask-Yao Assembly is complete!"